It’s a pleasure welcoming to The Belfast Empire another great line-up featuring the top Rock ‘N’ Roll / Rockabilly artists from the UK & Europe for the 3rd Rock ‘N’ Roll / Rockabilly Alldayer!!
The Spunyboys : France
One of the hottest young acts on the Rock ‘N’ Roll / Rockabilly scene at the moment, The Spunyboys are inspired by fifties American legends like Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins, Johnny Horton, Ray Campi and British rockers Crazy Cavan, Matchbox, Jets, and Flying Saucers
Formed back in April 2006, Rémi (Doublebass/Lead Vocal) asked his brother Guillaume (Drums/Backin’Vocal) to join the band, along with Félicien, who joined a few days later .
This brand-new trio played classic tunes of the Fifties’ artists and of Teddyboy legends.
The beginning of 2008, new guitarist Kevin replaced Felicien, the three acolytes now had a new unexpected stage synergy, doing various shows, rockin’ festivals, moto clubs and more.
Summertime 2010 began the recording period and the first album “Sunset to Sunrise”, completely produced by themselves, was released in January 2011. It appeared extensively on French rock n’ roll compilations and was reviewed favourably in all the publications.
So, after 170 gigs, Kevin asked the band to find a new guitar player, as he could no longer continue the extensive touring due to other commitments. The brothers didn’t hesitate about the next one; they called Eddie from Dijon and he directly found his place as a guitarist and fellow troubadour.
The lads continue to travel all over the world to packed gigs.
It’s a pleasure having them back.
The Hayriders : England
The Hayriders are a collection of established musicians from big names on the scene!
Darren Lince, a founder member of The Preachers, The Sugar Creek Trio, and the driving force on guitar with Jack Rabbit Slim, has supported star names on tours, such as Jerry Lee, Chuck Berry, Art Adams, Rudy Grayzell.
Pat Reyford, a multi-talented musician known simply as ‘Sugar Ray Ford’, became the front man of The Hotshots, Sugars Rays Flying Fortress, one of the Big 6, and latterly of Sugar Rays Lucky Strikes! He too has supported many acts of repute – Frankie Ford, Nappy Brown, Barbara Pittman and Sid King. Using one of his musical talents he now plays the ‘Doghouse’ with the Hayriders
Ricky ‘Playboy’ McCann, recently back from many years hitting stages across America with ‘Big Sandy and the Flyright Boys’, has become part of the rhythm section with The Hayriders.
Doing his job with The Playboys, and The Houserockers simultaneously in his previous U.K. life. Ricky has been lucky to support Big Al Downing, Haydn Thompson, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Sonny Burgess amongst others.
Neil Wright a founder and last member of the original Hayriders rides on the musicianship of the 3 ‘big’ names now part of The Hayriders! He has been lucky enough to support some well-known names of the past, such as Janis Martin, Mac Curtis and Jackie Lee Cochran!
Phil Haley And His Comments : England
Formed in 1995 mainly as a tribute to the father of Rock n Roll Bill Haley and His Comets. After a couple of years gigging the band started to get noticed by the top rock n roll clubs and really took off playing all over the UK. During 1999 they played the Munich International rock n roll festival where they met Jamie Suppa from Australia who booked them in 2001, recording the original track “Talk To Me” after which things really opened up. Bookings all over Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia, USA and Japan all followed.
Phil Haley and his Comments have released 5cds containing not only Bill Haley tracks but their own original tracks, and now have a stage show as polished as their patent leather shoes.
The Bullets : England
Great wild Rockabilly trio from London, The Bullets make there much anticipated return to Belfast.
Hot of their latest album release “That Screamin’ Beat” , which is getting rave reviews on the Rockin scene, a must-see band.
DJs on the day :
Alan Gibson ( Belfast)
Eamon Doyle (Enniscorthy)
Robbie Knight (England)
